"I don't think Mary had a choice in her decision relative to closing some of these plants and the platforms", he said during an interview on "Countdown to the Closing Bell Thursday".

Next month, Governor-elect Mike DeWine is going to the Detroit Auto Show to meet with GM CEOMary Barra.

General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra came under harsh criticism from members of Congress from MI on Thursday for building a new vehicle in Mexico while ending production at five North American assembly plants and cutting almost 15,000 jobs. GM says that since 2009 it has invested $22 billion in US facilities.

Barra came under pressure from Ohio's two USA senators and other lawmakers who want GM to shift production of a vehicle from Mexico or build electric vehicles at the Lordstown Assembly plant in their state that the automaker has said it intends to close. She also noted GM is launching a number of new vehicles in MI next year.

Representative Brenda Lawrence, who represents Detroit, said lawmakers were putting GM was on notice about future production decisions, noting the company is making strong profits and got a massive taxpayer bailout a decade ago.

Dingell and her colleagues are asking Trump to visit MI and Ohio.

Portman said he and Brown urged Barra to speed up talks.

The CEO said GM planned to add other products at USA plants next year and that the automaker would have some jobs to fill at other OH facilities in 2019.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently made headlines saying he would be willing to buy some of the GM plants if they don't want them anymore.

MI lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. After GM announced its plans, Trump threatened to eliminate subsidies for GM in retaliation. Obviously, we're working with General Motors, but should General Motors choose to sell those facilities or do something with them with someone like Elon Musk, that would obviously be a great opportunity for our community. "I also informed them that all salaried GM workers impacted by these actions are being offered outplacement services to help them transition to new jobs".

Musk's announcement could put some pressure on Barra and GM to keep the Lordstown plant open. The union has asked GM to rescind the decision and resolve the fate of the plants in talks for a new labor contract next year.